Leading black Britons celebrated in New Years’ Honours List

Among those recognised were philanthropists, musicians and entrepreneurs

Written by Vic Motune
30/12/2017 11:12 AM

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HONOUR: CBE for Dawn Hill of Black Cultural Archives

PHILANTHROPISTS, LEADING figures from the music world and
Entrepreneurs from Britain’s black community were among the people recognised in the New Years Honours list.

Businessman and philanthropist Ken Olisa, who in 2015 was named the UK’s most influential black Briton for his work tackling homelessness and poverty, and who already has an OBE, now receives a knighthood.

Dawn Hill, chair of Brixton’s Black Cultural Archives, was made a CBE – Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire – for her “pivotal contribution to recording and celebrating Black history and heritage in the UK”.

Earlier this year she was also recognised by the prime minister for her leadership and for the importance of the BCA with a Points of Light award presented at the No 10 Downing Street Black History Month reception.

She said at the time: “I am immensely proud of 30 years working with Black Cultural Archives together with other committed volunteers who have seen the iconic Black heritage centre open in Windrush Square in Brixton. The Black Cultural Archives is the only national repository of Black culture and heritage in Britain.”
KNIGHTHOOD: Ken Olisa

BBC Radio London presenter Eddie Nestor said it is an “absolute honour” to receive an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

The 53-year-old broadcaster, actor and comedian from Hackney, East London, has presented BBC Radio London’s Drivetime programme since 2003.

He said: “It is an absolute honour to receive this wonderful award. To be gifted the opportunity to reach out and touch people’s lives through the radio is something I could only have dreamed of."
GRIME LEGEND: Wiley has been awarded an MBE

Tunji Akintokun, founder and co-director of Your Future, Your Ambition which aims to inspire children and young adults from ethnically diverse backgrounds to study science, technology, enterprise and maths (STEM) subjects was awarded an MBE.

Hip hop artist Wiley — born Richard Cowie — who is often hailed the “godfather of grime” music, also received an MBE.
He thanked his family “for being there for me when I needed them”.
The musician added: “It feels like the school grade I wanted and didn’t get but now I’m finally there,”

Posted on: 30/12/2017 11:12 AM

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